Chuck Seiler
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Chuck Seiler reacted to Mike 41 in Washington 1776 by Mike 41 - FINISHED - 1:48 - row galley
Hi Chuck,
I think the British used the cannon ball method to shorten the mast before taking possession of their Prize.
Mike
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Chuck Seiler got a reaction from Mike 41 in Washington 1776 by Mike 41 - FINISHED - 1:48 - row galley
Mike,
Many thanks. PHILLY is a much simpler design/model than yours is. Your framing looks great.
After an inconvenient 24 pound ball lodged at or below the waterline (you can see in the Smithsonian ship...the ball is still there), PHILADELPHIA started sinking by the bow. The 'bailing well' back aft was of little value at that point. WASHINGTON came alongside to take off the surviving crew...only to be captured later when WASHINGTON was overtaken by the British. Lt. Rue and some of the PHILLY crew made it to shore and made their way by land to Fort Ticonderoga.
Are you talking about the British shortening th emast after they captured it or via a cannon ball.
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Chuck Seiler reacted to Mike 41 in Washington 1776 by Mike 41 - FINISHED - 1:48 - row galley
Thanks Nils,
The framing is going very well and I expect to start the fairly soon. There is a lot of great builds on the site and I hope she will slide into the middle when complete.
Hi Chuck,
The Washington in the painting certainly could be my ship. The lines are about the same. It does look like the forward mast was shortened by the British some.. You are doing excellent work on the Philadelphia.
Mike
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Chuck Seiler got a reaction from Mike 41 in Washington 1776 by Mike 41 - FINISHED - 1:48 - row galley
Mike,
Excellent!!! I believe that is your WASHINGTON lurking behind the sinking PHILADELPHIA in the photo on my build log (second post of the blog).
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Chuck Seiler got a reaction from BRiddoch in USS Constitution by BRiddoch - Model Shipways - Scale 1:76
Bob,
Welcome back online. Looking forward to the build continuing. When is the house warming/shop warming party?
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Chuck Seiler got a reaction from Elmer Cornish in Gunboat PHILADELPHIA 1776 by Chuck Seiler - Scale 1:48 - from Model Shipways plans
MacGyver was unable to find matchsticks, so we used these. I was unable to find suitable bricks, so I made them from wood. (Having said that, 250 people will direct me to the bricks I needed.)
I remember having small scale individual bricks many years ago. I tried hobby stores, train scores and Google to find them. I was able to find adequate brickage from a fine company in UK at a reasonable price, but the shipping/associated cost were just too much.
I used padauk wood and stained holly.
Mr. Jefferson looks on, wondering if Mr. Franklin has that stove thing patented yet.
The hearth and first couple courses completed. This is where the cook stove sits on the PHILDELPHIA in the Smithsonian.
Here is where it sits on the plans.
The athwartship mast support is in place. What could POSSIBLY go wrong here???? Don't let the safety guys see this!!!!
I'm not sure why the PHILLY didn't burn to the waterline or explode long before the battle. This does not look like a very good place for a cook stove, but my readings indicate this IS where it was. They are able to see the charring on the underside of the mast support.
Maybe this thing will work on the 18th Century Longboat (same scale). What do you think????? Maybe I can sub-contract to Chuck P so he can provide an after market add on to the longboat kit.
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Chuck Seiler got a reaction from coxswain in Gunboat PHILADELPHIA 1776 by Chuck Seiler - Scale 1:48 - from Model Shipways plans
I forgot to mention in the previous pic that while the interior planking is stained with GOLDEN PECAN, the exterior is PECAN. It provides a dirtier brown finish, giving the rustic color I am working for. I will endeavor to get a good exterior shot.
Another lengthwise shot of the completed hull. Thole pins bitts and cleats are mounted.
A close up shot of the bow section. Shot rack with 12lb shot is mounted. Note nail heads in the deck planking. Iron nails were a lot easier than traditional tree-nails to make and use. They were not too concerned about them rusting away since they didn't anticipate the ship being around long. Ironically (IRON-ically...get it) the nails still exist..a bit corroded...in the actual ship. (See early picture) A lot of nails were used to keep the thing from coming apart every time they fired the guns.
Close up shot of the stern. The arms locker hold spare shot and a few drill bits. Holes in the caprail are for awning stations.
Next step....the cook stove.
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Chuck Seiler got a reaction from Mike 41 in Gunboat PHILADELPHIA 1776 by Chuck Seiler - Scale 1:48 - from Model Shipways plans
THAT LOOKS LIKE A MIGHTY FINE CARGO HAULIN' BATEAUX. ARE YOU SURE IT'S A GUNBOAT?
You have a keen eye my friend! the gunboats were pretty much designed after the bateaux used in the area. Allegedly, Arnold wanted the gunboats to be like the ones on the Delaware River but nobody had the plans and didn't have time to get them. He redesigned the boats because the shipwrights and carpenters available had been building bateaux for a year in order to ferry troops and supplies up and down Lake Champlain. It was more important to have hulls in the water than have masterpieces sometime in the future.
WOW!
Indeed.
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Chuck Seiler got a reaction from pete48 in Gunboat PHILADELPHIA 1776 by Chuck Seiler - Scale 1:48 - from Model Shipways plans
Fast forward to 22 FEB 2014
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Chuck Seiler got a reaction from Elmer Cornish in Gunboat PHILADELPHIA 1776 by Chuck Seiler - Scale 1:48 - from Model Shipways plans
Not a whole lot got done between July and December. I took some pics in December and they came out blurry. They are the only ones I have, so.....
Forward gundeck in the process of planking. The 'slide' for the 12 pounder is in place. Note the large 2 foot wide planks here as well as the center deck.
A lengthwise shot showing all decks. Support stanchions for the center gundeck (heretofore called the POOP!!!!! deck) are taking shape. After most deck planking is narrower than other two decks...a mere foot and a half. Weapons lockers are marked out aft.
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Chuck Seiler got a reaction from pete48 in Gunboat PHILADELPHIA 1776 by Chuck Seiler - Scale 1:48 - from Model Shipways plans
It is almost at the end of the Fair....1 day to go. I have the interior planking done and stained. I did not go all the way down to the bottom with the interior planking because I wanted space to be able to work the exterior planking. The interior is stained with Minwax "Golden Pecan"
You see work on the middle deck planking progressing. On this model, this is the poop deck. I had the planking completed and I placed a prototype of the 9lb gun on it... "Poop" <I sez>. The muzzle did not clear the caprail. I had to add another layer of planking to make it work.
On the actual ship, the forward deck is the poop deck. When they loaded the 12 lb gun forward, "POOP!!!!!" it failed to clear the stem and caprail. They ended up having to cut away that portion of the caprail and a piece of the stem. Unless I tell you, you would never know I had an extra layer of planking. It is hard to miss the cut out stem.
Exterior planking takes shape. Planks are same size (scale wise) with the same buttjoints as the real ship. The upper three strakes are slightly different widths, but approximately 1/8" (6 scale inches). The lower 4 strakes are all 1 foots. except here narrowed. Interior planking is all 1/8 inch (6 inches).
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Chuck Seiler got a reaction from Elmer Cornish in Gunboat PHILADELPHIA 1776 by Chuck Seiler - Scale 1:48 - from Model Shipways plans
Let's begin!!!
The model, like the gunboat itself, is pretty simple. Start off with a flat bottom and work your way up.
Using the Model Expo plans, I made two identical half bottoms and glued them to a center false keel. This was to provide me with a completely symmetrical hull. (yeah, so how did that work out?) The bulkhead locations were marked on the bottom to help line up the two pieces. As you can see from the photo date stamp, I started this project almost a year ago.
The two pieces were affixed to the false keel inside-side down. This allowed the wood to stick up and serve as a guide for bottom planking. Before planking the bottom, bulkhead locations were transferred to the inside side.
Once the bottom was planked, the whole shebang was sanded flat. I did this so the model would sit flat on the work surface. Eventually I will add the keel, which is only about 3 scale inches. It was more for structure than anything else and didn't contribute much to its sailing qualities. The PHILADELPHIA only sailed in one direction--directly downwind, but when you could, it was better than rowing.
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Chuck Seiler got a reaction from aviaamator in Gunboat PHILADELPHIA 1776 by Chuck Seiler - Scale 1:48 - from Model Shipways plans
The PHILADELPHIA 's sinking was it's eventual salvation. Having sunk in cold, fresh water, the hull and ironwork was saved from major deterioration for 160 years. In 1935 Colonel F. Hagglund, an experienced salvage engineer from New York, located and raised the PHILADELPHIA. After Hagglund's death, Philadelphia was donated to the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, where she is on display to this day.
GUNBOAT PHILADELPHIA as it is today
I have no idea who these folks are, but it demonstrates proportion.
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Chuck Seiler got a reaction from Mike 41 in Gunboat PHILADELPHIA 1776 by Chuck Seiler - Scale 1:48 - from Model Shipways plans
MacGyver was unable to find matchsticks, so we used these. I was unable to find suitable bricks, so I made them from wood. (Having said that, 250 people will direct me to the bricks I needed.)
I remember having small scale individual bricks many years ago. I tried hobby stores, train scores and Google to find them. I was able to find adequate brickage from a fine company in UK at a reasonable price, but the shipping/associated cost were just too much.
I used padauk wood and stained holly.
Mr. Jefferson looks on, wondering if Mr. Franklin has that stove thing patented yet.
The hearth and first couple courses completed. This is where the cook stove sits on the PHILDELPHIA in the Smithsonian.
Here is where it sits on the plans.
The athwartship mast support is in place. What could POSSIBLY go wrong here???? Don't let the safety guys see this!!!!
I'm not sure why the PHILLY didn't burn to the waterline or explode long before the battle. This does not look like a very good place for a cook stove, but my readings indicate this IS where it was. They are able to see the charring on the underside of the mast support.
Maybe this thing will work on the 18th Century Longboat (same scale). What do you think????? Maybe I can sub-contract to Chuck P so he can provide an after market add on to the longboat kit.
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Chuck Seiler got a reaction from hexnut in Gunboat PHILADELPHIA 1776 by Chuck Seiler - Scale 1:48 - from Model Shipways plans
MacGyver was unable to find matchsticks, so we used these. I was unable to find suitable bricks, so I made them from wood. (Having said that, 250 people will direct me to the bricks I needed.)
I remember having small scale individual bricks many years ago. I tried hobby stores, train scores and Google to find them. I was able to find adequate brickage from a fine company in UK at a reasonable price, but the shipping/associated cost were just too much.
I used padauk wood and stained holly.
Mr. Jefferson looks on, wondering if Mr. Franklin has that stove thing patented yet.
The hearth and first couple courses completed. This is where the cook stove sits on the PHILDELPHIA in the Smithsonian.
Here is where it sits on the plans.
The athwartship mast support is in place. What could POSSIBLY go wrong here???? Don't let the safety guys see this!!!!
I'm not sure why the PHILLY didn't burn to the waterline or explode long before the battle. This does not look like a very good place for a cook stove, but my readings indicate this IS where it was. They are able to see the charring on the underside of the mast support.
Maybe this thing will work on the 18th Century Longboat (same scale). What do you think????? Maybe I can sub-contract to Chuck P so he can provide an after market add on to the longboat kit.
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Chuck Seiler got a reaction from lambsbk in Gunboat PHILADELPHIA 1776 by Chuck Seiler - Scale 1:48 - from Model Shipways plans
MacGyver was unable to find matchsticks, so we used these. I was unable to find suitable bricks, so I made them from wood. (Having said that, 250 people will direct me to the bricks I needed.)
I remember having small scale individual bricks many years ago. I tried hobby stores, train scores and Google to find them. I was able to find adequate brickage from a fine company in UK at a reasonable price, but the shipping/associated cost were just too much.
I used padauk wood and stained holly.
Mr. Jefferson looks on, wondering if Mr. Franklin has that stove thing patented yet.
The hearth and first couple courses completed. This is where the cook stove sits on the PHILDELPHIA in the Smithsonian.
Here is where it sits on the plans.
The athwartship mast support is in place. What could POSSIBLY go wrong here???? Don't let the safety guys see this!!!!
I'm not sure why the PHILLY didn't burn to the waterline or explode long before the battle. This does not look like a very good place for a cook stove, but my readings indicate this IS where it was. They are able to see the charring on the underside of the mast support.
Maybe this thing will work on the 18th Century Longboat (same scale). What do you think????? Maybe I can sub-contract to Chuck P so he can provide an after market add on to the longboat kit.
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Chuck Seiler got a reaction from pete48 in Gunboat PHILADELPHIA 1776 by Chuck Seiler - Scale 1:48 - from Model Shipways plans
I forgot to mention in the previous pic that while the interior planking is stained with GOLDEN PECAN, the exterior is PECAN. It provides a dirtier brown finish, giving the rustic color I am working for. I will endeavor to get a good exterior shot.
Another lengthwise shot of the completed hull. Thole pins bitts and cleats are mounted.
A close up shot of the bow section. Shot rack with 12lb shot is mounted. Note nail heads in the deck planking. Iron nails were a lot easier than traditional tree-nails to make and use. They were not too concerned about them rusting away since they didn't anticipate the ship being around long. Ironically (IRON-ically...get it) the nails still exist..a bit corroded...in the actual ship. (See early picture) A lot of nails were used to keep the thing from coming apart every time they fired the guns.
Close up shot of the stern. The arms locker hold spare shot and a few drill bits. Holes in the caprail are for awning stations.
Next step....the cook stove.
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Chuck Seiler got a reaction from harvey1847 in Gunboat PHILADELPHIA 1776 by Chuck Seiler - Scale 1:48 - from Model Shipways plans
MacGyver was unable to find matchsticks, so we used these. I was unable to find suitable bricks, so I made them from wood. (Having said that, 250 people will direct me to the bricks I needed.)
I remember having small scale individual bricks many years ago. I tried hobby stores, train scores and Google to find them. I was able to find adequate brickage from a fine company in UK at a reasonable price, but the shipping/associated cost were just too much.
I used padauk wood and stained holly.
Mr. Jefferson looks on, wondering if Mr. Franklin has that stove thing patented yet.
The hearth and first couple courses completed. This is where the cook stove sits on the PHILDELPHIA in the Smithsonian.
Here is where it sits on the plans.
The athwartship mast support is in place. What could POSSIBLY go wrong here???? Don't let the safety guys see this!!!!
I'm not sure why the PHILLY didn't burn to the waterline or explode long before the battle. This does not look like a very good place for a cook stove, but my readings indicate this IS where it was. They are able to see the charring on the underside of the mast support.
Maybe this thing will work on the 18th Century Longboat (same scale). What do you think????? Maybe I can sub-contract to Chuck P so he can provide an after market add on to the longboat kit.
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Chuck Seiler got a reaction from captainbob in Gunboat PHILADELPHIA 1776 by Chuck Seiler - Scale 1:48 - from Model Shipways plans
MacGyver was unable to find matchsticks, so we used these. I was unable to find suitable bricks, so I made them from wood. (Having said that, 250 people will direct me to the bricks I needed.)
I remember having small scale individual bricks many years ago. I tried hobby stores, train scores and Google to find them. I was able to find adequate brickage from a fine company in UK at a reasonable price, but the shipping/associated cost were just too much.
I used padauk wood and stained holly.
Mr. Jefferson looks on, wondering if Mr. Franklin has that stove thing patented yet.
The hearth and first couple courses completed. This is where the cook stove sits on the PHILDELPHIA in the Smithsonian.
Here is where it sits on the plans.
The athwartship mast support is in place. What could POSSIBLY go wrong here???? Don't let the safety guys see this!!!!
I'm not sure why the PHILLY didn't burn to the waterline or explode long before the battle. This does not look like a very good place for a cook stove, but my readings indicate this IS where it was. They are able to see the charring on the underside of the mast support.
Maybe this thing will work on the 18th Century Longboat (same scale). What do you think????? Maybe I can sub-contract to Chuck P so he can provide an after market add on to the longboat kit.
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Chuck Seiler got a reaction from bhermann in Gunboat PHILADELPHIA 1776 by Chuck Seiler - Scale 1:48 - from Model Shipways plans
MacGyver was unable to find matchsticks, so we used these. I was unable to find suitable bricks, so I made them from wood. (Having said that, 250 people will direct me to the bricks I needed.)
I remember having small scale individual bricks many years ago. I tried hobby stores, train scores and Google to find them. I was able to find adequate brickage from a fine company in UK at a reasonable price, but the shipping/associated cost were just too much.
I used padauk wood and stained holly.
Mr. Jefferson looks on, wondering if Mr. Franklin has that stove thing patented yet.
The hearth and first couple courses completed. This is where the cook stove sits on the PHILDELPHIA in the Smithsonian.
Here is where it sits on the plans.
The athwartship mast support is in place. What could POSSIBLY go wrong here???? Don't let the safety guys see this!!!!
I'm not sure why the PHILLY didn't burn to the waterline or explode long before the battle. This does not look like a very good place for a cook stove, but my readings indicate this IS where it was. They are able to see the charring on the underside of the mast support.
Maybe this thing will work on the 18th Century Longboat (same scale). What do you think????? Maybe I can sub-contract to Chuck P so he can provide an after market add on to the longboat kit.
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Chuck Seiler got a reaction from SawdustDave in Gunboat PHILADELPHIA 1776 by Chuck Seiler - Scale 1:48 - from Model Shipways plans
The previous stage was late May 2013. I was on a building binge so that the model was ready for me to take to the County Fair.
By early June I had the upper three strakes of exterior planking installed, the center cross supports are all raised to the correct level (I thought) and the middle two planks on the center gundeck. If they look overly wide, they are. They are about two scale feet wide...but that is what the plans call for...because that is what the ship has. Deck planking is holly. Exterior and ceiling (interior) hull planking is boxwood.
I took some basswood the thickness I wanted my frames and ran them between the bulkheads, attached to the exterior planking. I would then sand the bulkheads down to the proper thickness...making them frames. There are a little over twice the number of frames on the real gunboat as I have. Here you see the bulkhead sanding process almost complete. The master shipwright surveys his work.
A look from a different angle. Note the cross supports forward have not been fully raised. I want to complete he ceiling planking before I do that.
A look at the sternpost. Note 'wings' used to help anchor planks
A look at the stem. No wings.
The beastie is starting to take shape.
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Chuck Seiler got a reaction from BRiddoch in Gunboat PHILADELPHIA 1776 by Chuck Seiler - Scale 1:48 - from Model Shipways plans
MacGyver was unable to find matchsticks, so we used these. I was unable to find suitable bricks, so I made them from wood. (Having said that, 250 people will direct me to the bricks I needed.)
I remember having small scale individual bricks many years ago. I tried hobby stores, train scores and Google to find them. I was able to find adequate brickage from a fine company in UK at a reasonable price, but the shipping/associated cost were just too much.
I used padauk wood and stained holly.
Mr. Jefferson looks on, wondering if Mr. Franklin has that stove thing patented yet.
The hearth and first couple courses completed. This is where the cook stove sits on the PHILDELPHIA in the Smithsonian.
Here is where it sits on the plans.
The athwartship mast support is in place. What could POSSIBLY go wrong here???? Don't let the safety guys see this!!!!
I'm not sure why the PHILLY didn't burn to the waterline or explode long before the battle. This does not look like a very good place for a cook stove, but my readings indicate this IS where it was. They are able to see the charring on the underside of the mast support.
Maybe this thing will work on the 18th Century Longboat (same scale). What do you think????? Maybe I can sub-contract to Chuck P so he can provide an after market add on to the longboat kit.
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Chuck Seiler got a reaction from WackoWolf in Gunboat PHILADELPHIA 1776 by Chuck Seiler - Scale 1:48 - from Model Shipways plans
MacGyver was unable to find matchsticks, so we used these. I was unable to find suitable bricks, so I made them from wood. (Having said that, 250 people will direct me to the bricks I needed.)
I remember having small scale individual bricks many years ago. I tried hobby stores, train scores and Google to find them. I was able to find adequate brickage from a fine company in UK at a reasonable price, but the shipping/associated cost were just too much.
I used padauk wood and stained holly.
Mr. Jefferson looks on, wondering if Mr. Franklin has that stove thing patented yet.
The hearth and first couple courses completed. This is where the cook stove sits on the PHILDELPHIA in the Smithsonian.
Here is where it sits on the plans.
The athwartship mast support is in place. What could POSSIBLY go wrong here???? Don't let the safety guys see this!!!!
I'm not sure why the PHILLY didn't burn to the waterline or explode long before the battle. This does not look like a very good place for a cook stove, but my readings indicate this IS where it was. They are able to see the charring on the underside of the mast support.
Maybe this thing will work on the 18th Century Longboat (same scale). What do you think????? Maybe I can sub-contract to Chuck P so he can provide an after market add on to the longboat kit.
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Chuck Seiler got a reaction from tarbrush in Gunboat PHILADELPHIA 1776 by Chuck Seiler - Scale 1:48 - from Model Shipways plans
MacGyver was unable to find matchsticks, so we used these. I was unable to find suitable bricks, so I made them from wood. (Having said that, 250 people will direct me to the bricks I needed.)
I remember having small scale individual bricks many years ago. I tried hobby stores, train scores and Google to find them. I was able to find adequate brickage from a fine company in UK at a reasonable price, but the shipping/associated cost were just too much.
I used padauk wood and stained holly.
Mr. Jefferson looks on, wondering if Mr. Franklin has that stove thing patented yet.
The hearth and first couple courses completed. This is where the cook stove sits on the PHILDELPHIA in the Smithsonian.
Here is where it sits on the plans.
The athwartship mast support is in place. What could POSSIBLY go wrong here???? Don't let the safety guys see this!!!!
I'm not sure why the PHILLY didn't burn to the waterline or explode long before the battle. This does not look like a very good place for a cook stove, but my readings indicate this IS where it was. They are able to see the charring on the underside of the mast support.
Maybe this thing will work on the 18th Century Longboat (same scale). What do you think????? Maybe I can sub-contract to Chuck P so he can provide an after market add on to the longboat kit.
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Chuck Seiler got a reaction from mtaylor in Gunboat PHILADELPHIA 1776 by Chuck Seiler - Scale 1:48 - from Model Shipways plans
Your job, Mr. MacGyver, is to build this with match sticks and chewing gum.
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